Page 36 of Color Chameleon
When lights from the road started shining into the woods, Darcy knew they’d taken the truck and were searching for him from the road, so he was forced to go deeper into the trees.He tried to move in at an angle so he kept the road on his left as he went, but he didn’t dare stop moving inward until he couldn’t see any lights at all, and at that point, he had to admit that he was hopelessly lost.He had no idea which way would lead him back to the road.
He also couldn’t hear more shouting or the sound of anyone else moving through the forest, either.That could either mean they weren’t anywhere near finding him, or that they were being stealthy.He knew hunters could move quietly through the woods when they were after deer and stuff, so who knew if he was safe or just about to be caught.
The thought kept him moving, though the adrenaline was fading and he had to slow down, his breath heaving from his chest as he stumbled along.He’d been hit by branches, and he’d fallen a couple times, and those aches and scratches were starting to make themselves known, too.Still, he kept going, knowing that was the only chance he had.He really hoped his kidnappers were far, far away, because he was making a lot of noise.He knew he was, but his other option was to stop moving, and he was pretty sure that wasn’t wise.
He caught his breath, thinking he’d heard the sound of someone walking—branches breaking, leaves rustling.Then he heard the noise of a walkie-talkie.Shit.That had to be them—and that spurred him back into running.
As if that wasn’t enough, he could hear wolves baying now.Great.He was either going to get recaptured or eaten by wolves.Frankly, he was rooting for the wolves.He’d said he’d rather die than go back to his parents and the conversion camp, and he’d meant it.
More howls sounded, and they were definitely closer.Looked like wolves it was.He just hoped it would be quick.
A loud crack sounded, and something whizzed by his head, hitting the tree just ahead of him.
“You don’t stop and put your hands up, the next one’s in your skull, boy.”
Darcy froze and raised his hands, tears stinging at his eyes.Maybe he should let the guy kill him.Death by wolves, kidnapper, or conversion camp—the bullet would probably be quickest.
He took a deep breath and moved, darting away.He heard the next shot, but it missed him.He also heard snarling, and then a loud cry of pain.
Holy fuck, he wasn’t dead!
He put on speed, running just as hard as he could.There was still a chance he was going to get out of this alive.He was going to see Charma again.He held onto that just as hard as he could as he ran.
Noises came from all around him, wolves howling, the sound of something running after him.He found another gear somewhere deep inside him and moved faster.
Then he was hit from behind by something large, and he went down hard.
ChapterNine
The call Charma had been waiting for came around four in the morning.
“The wolves have your man, and they’ll be meeting up with our crew to hand him over.He should be home soon.”
Charma sank to the ground, relief flooding him, making him weak.
“Thank the goddess.”
“Indeed.I’m happy for you, son.I like him.”
“What happened to his kidnappers?”He hoped they were rotting in hell.
“Those are all the details I have.It’s enough, though, isn’t it?”
“For sure, for sure.I just want them punished.”
“I hear you, but let’s start with being happy he’s okay and getting him home safe.Everything else is just details.”
He knew she was right.
“It’ll be a few hours at the earliest before he’s home, so try to get some sleep, okay?Time to take care of yourself now.”
“I’ll try.”But he was making no promises.
She chuckled knowingly and told him she loved him again.This time, he had the presence of mind to say it back to her before disconnecting the call.
“That Aunt Belia?”Nik asked from the couch where he’d been sleeping.
“Yeah.They found him.He’s going to be home soon.”Except that soon was a relative term, and he didn’t know how far they’d gotten before Darcy had escaped.So it could be literally all day before he was actually home again.He was safe now, though, Charma reminded himself.And that was the important thing.Not that being able to hold Darcy and check for himself that Darcy was okay wasn’t important, but this was the first step toward that, and he was glad for it.
